Cyclones Prepare for the Kansas Classic

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 11/21/2013

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AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (3-1-1, 0-1 Big 12) will head to Topeka, Kan. to compete in the Kansas Classic on Friday, Nov. 22-24. Following their first dual meet loss of the season to TCU on Nov. 8, the Cyclones have had two weeks of no competition leading up to the three-day swimmer only event.

The Kansas Classic will give Iowa State the opportunity to matchup against familiar teams who they frequently compete against, while facing off against teams they do not race against on a regular basis. The United State Air Force Academy is one such opponent. In addition to Big 12 competitor Kansas, in-state foe Northern Iowa will be among the teams at the Capital Federal Natatorium for this weekend’s event.

Two very familiar teams, Nebraska and Nebraska-Omaha, who the Cyclones squared off against earlier this season, will also be in attendance. Iowa State topped the Mavericks of UNO handily by a score of 123-63 on Nov. 1, while recording the first tie in school history against the Huskers during the season opener by a score of 150-150.

So far through the 2013-14 season, Iowa State has competed in five dual-meet style competitions. This weekend will provide a change of pace and a new experience for the team’s freshman as the Kansas Classic is a championship format event.

In a championship format, the top 16 finishes earn a score, while each team is allowed to score as many swimmers as possible, rather than the limit of three in dual meet events. Each morning of the three-day event, prelims will be held. Those who qualify for finals will compete again at night.

Swimmers who qualify as a finalist will guarantee themselves at least an eighth-place finish, regardless of their time in the final heat. The 9th-16th fastest swimmers will then compete in a consolation heat, with an opportunity to finish ninth, at best. This style of competition heavily favors teams who have depth on their rosters; the Cyclones will hold the upper hand in the backstroke and breaststroke events.

During the 2012 Kansas Classic, the Cyclones posted a fourth-place finish among a field of six teams including Notre Dame, then ranked 21st in the country. With 410.00 points throughout the weekend, Iowa State was led by Imelda Wistey and Amanda Paulson, who combined for nine top-16 performances.

Paulson, school record holder in the 50-freestyle, took first in the event at last year’s Kansas Classic with a time of 0:23.41, while school record holder in the 100-breaststroke, Wistey took second overall in the event with a time of 1:04.50. The two swimmers teamed up for a pair of fifth place finishes in the 200 and 400 medley relay with times of 1:46.12 and 3:52.55, respectively.

Following this weekend’s action, the Cyclone swimmers will have three weeks off until the team hosts the Iowa Hawkeyes for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series on Dec. 13, at 6:00 p.m.